Blossoms, no fruit - Ask Extension
We have always grown vegetables in the ground or raised beds, but moved here too late in the season to prepare either of those and have planted tomato...
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Blossoms, no fruit #199238
Asked July 14, 2014, 2:14 PM EDT
We have always grown vegetables in the ground or raised beds, but moved here too late in the season to prepare either of those and have planted tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash and cucumbers in pots. We have never done that before and are having problems developing fruit. The blossoms are beautiful, but once they close, they wither and fall off. I have seen bees, but not many. Also, I opened one fallen blossom that looked especially nasty and found an earwig in there. I have attached pictures of the squash blossom open and closed (1 and 2) and a good zucchini blossom (3). Is this problem common with vegetables grown in pots? Is it too late to save this crop? Thank you
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Squash including zucchini have both male and female flowers. Male flowers tend to appear/develop first, then female flowers. Your photos suggest you're seeing male flowers.
Male flowers have stamen full of pollen for bees to move to female flowers.
Male flowers are on a longer stalk.
Female flowers have a shorter stalk attached to a main stem.
Female flowers have a small "knob" (immature squash) immediately behind/under the flower.
You should get some zucchini within a few days of female flower appearance.
Male flowers have stamen full of pollen for bees to move to female flowers.
Male flowers are on a longer stalk.
Female flowers have a shorter stalk attached to a main stem.
Female flowers have a small "knob" (immature squash) immediately behind/under the flower.
You should get some zucchini within a few days of female flower appearance.
